Barbed wire exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported barbed wire worth $8.5 million (5.7 thousand tonnes). It ranks 8th of 118 countries for exports of this product. Value rose 6% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $16.5 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8.5M | 5.7K t |
| 2023 | $8.0M | 4.4K t |
| 2022 | $7.9M | 4.4K t |
| 2021 | $12.2M | 6.5K t |
| 2020 | $11.9M | 6.5K t |
| 2019 | $8.6M | 6.1K t |
| 2018 | $12.1M | 8.2K t |
| 2017 | $16.5M | 8.9K t |
Where South Africa exports barbed wire to
Most of it went to Botswana (25%), Zimbabwe (18%), Namibia (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest (+104% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $2.1M | 25% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.5M | 18% |
| Namibia | $1.1M | 13% |
| Mozambique | $669K | 7.9% |
| Zambia | $634K | 7.5% |
| Eswatini | $621K | 7.3% |
| United Kingdom | $421K | 5% |
| Lesotho | $296K | 3.5% |
| Malawi | $180K | 2.1% |
| Japan | $176K | 2.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.49 per kg, close to the world average of $1.50.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Barbed wire imports to South Africa
Imports of barbed wire by South Africa reached $1.6 million in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. China alone supplied 99% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+630% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.6M | 99% |
| India | $4K | 0.2% |
| Brazil | $3K | 0.2% |
| Eswatini | $2K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $1K | 0.1% |
| Namibia | $1K | 0.1% |
| Kenya | $1K | 0% |
| Japan | $0K | 0% |
| United States | $0K | 0% |
| Italy | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 7313: Barbed wire of iron or steel; twisted hoop or single flat wire, barbed or not and loosely twisted double wire, of a kind used for fencing, of iron or steel.
Common questions
What is the value of barbed wire exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported barbed wire worth $8.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 8th of 118 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries buy barbed wire from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 25% of the value ($2.1 million), followed by Zimbabwe (18%) and Namibia (12%). The top three together account for 55%, out of 42 buyer countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 104% on the year.
What is the average export price of barbed wire per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.49 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.50 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of barbed wire from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $16.5 million in 2017 to $8.5 million in 2024, a fall of 49%. The peak was 2017 at $16.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import barbed wire?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and Brazil. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $6.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for barbed wire?
The HS code for barbed wire is heading 7313. In South Africa all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 7313.00. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7313 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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